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<font size="4">Former Secretary of State James Baker Discovers ...</font size>
Sunday Times - London
November 19, 2006
THE former American secretary of state, James Baker, who has returned to international prominence as co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, was preparing to give a speech honouring his great-grandfather, a Texan grandee, at a cemetery two years ago when he was approached by a stranger.
“How do you do, sir, my name is James Baker,” the tall gentleman said. “I’m your cousin.”
To the astonishment of America’s premier diplomat, James Otis Baker was black. He was there with his 84-year-old younger brother, Wendell. Their famous cousin had never heard of his black relations.
Wendell Baker had dedicated his life to the civil rights movement in Texas, while James Baker’s grandfather had helped to found Rice University, an institute for the “white inhabitants of Houston and Texas” — it did not admit blacks until the 1960s.
Wendell’s great-grandmother Dinah was a mulatto slave who was purchased at the age of 12 in North Carolina and brought to Huntsville. She gave birth to five children by the master of the house by the age of 20.
One of the children was Wendell’s grandmother, who went on to have a relationship with Andrew Baker, the first cousin of James Baker’s grandfather.
He never married and died a wealthy man, but his inheritance passed to his white relations.
“They knew my daddy was his son,” Wendell recalled, “but they became almost hostile to us. My dad’s attitude was, ‘I won’t ever let it bother me’. He knew about his father’s funeral, but didn’t go.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2459984,00.html
Sunday Times - London
November 19, 2006
THE former American secretary of state, James Baker, who has returned to international prominence as co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, was preparing to give a speech honouring his great-grandfather, a Texan grandee, at a cemetery two years ago when he was approached by a stranger.
“How do you do, sir, my name is James Baker,” the tall gentleman said. “I’m your cousin.”
To the astonishment of America’s premier diplomat, James Otis Baker was black. He was there with his 84-year-old younger brother, Wendell. Their famous cousin had never heard of his black relations.
Wendell Baker had dedicated his life to the civil rights movement in Texas, while James Baker’s grandfather had helped to found Rice University, an institute for the “white inhabitants of Houston and Texas” — it did not admit blacks until the 1960s.
Wendell’s great-grandmother Dinah was a mulatto slave who was purchased at the age of 12 in North Carolina and brought to Huntsville. She gave birth to five children by the master of the house by the age of 20.
One of the children was Wendell’s grandmother, who went on to have a relationship with Andrew Baker, the first cousin of James Baker’s grandfather.
He never married and died a wealthy man, but his inheritance passed to his white relations.
“They knew my daddy was his son,” Wendell recalled, “but they became almost hostile to us. My dad’s attitude was, ‘I won’t ever let it bother me’. He knew about his father’s funeral, but didn’t go.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2459984,00.html
Interesting subject matter, on this topic i will add this...
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/video/report4.html
Jefferson's Blood
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/video/report4.html
Jefferson's Blood
Another no subject tidbit
Drug Trade, Resurgent Taliban Fuel Intensified Attacks in Afghanistan
Funded largely by a flourishing drug trade, Taliban fighters have stepped up their attacks on Afghan and international forces, killing more than 300 people a month on average in Afghanistan.
The Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, a body of Afghan and international officials that monitors developments in the country, recently reported that a resurgent Taliban has launch on average more than 600 attacks a month, resulting in the deaths of some 3,700 people in 2006.
The board concluded that the drug trade has helped make the fighting and instability particularly intense in four volatile southern provinces.
"What happened basically is that over the last five years what had been, especially in the south, a population that had largely thrown its lot in with the international community and central government lost faith in those elements to deliver a post-Taliban peace," said Marvin Weinbaum, scholar-in-residence at the Middle East Institute.
U.N. spokesman Adrian Edwards described the report as "very credible" and "very realistic." Although the report seems bleak in its detailed account of increasing violence, Edwards says there does seem to be "progress" and "movement forward."
Edwards pointed to successful elections for president and parliament and infrastructure improvements such as new schools, wells and highways as evidence of progress in the restive nation.
The most recent report came as the U.N. Security Council dispatched its first envoy to the region in more than three years. Kenzo Oshima, Japan's ambassador to the United Nations, is to report back to the council about the state of Afghanistan.
Oshima admitted that the "resurgence of violence" was a serious concern that could threaten the "ongoing process of reconstruction and nation-building in Afghanistan," he told reporters Wednesday.
"Yet the mission believes the storm is being weathered," Oshima said.
Despite the optimism, a slew of international surveys continue to report on the increasingly dire situation.
In the Unites States, the Government Accountability Office released a report Wednesday saying that the deteriorating security situation threatens the success of U.S. attempts to curb the Afghanistan drug trade.
Earlier this month, the International Crisis Group released a report that warned security had deteriorated such that action was needed now, although the "country's democratic government is not immediately threatened."
"The desire for a quick, cheap war followed by a quick, cheap peace is what has brought Afghanistan to the present, increasingly dangerous situation," the report read.
Marvin Weinbaum echoed concerns that the continued inability for the central government to maintain peace could spell long-term trouble for its future. The lack of government control, the presence of widespread corruption and little economic development all could make Afghans more ambivalent toward where their loyalties lay, he said.
In some parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban have even taken steps to replace the Kabul government. In parts of Kandahar, according to Reuters, the Taliban are now running Islamic courts. The group is also paying its fighters more than $300 a month, compared with the $14 paid to policemen.
"Forget about sympathies and ideologies," Weinbaum said. "People in many areas are just responding to payment."
The United Nations echoed Weinbaum's concerns and said it is focused on ensuring aid cuts through the corruption and governmental issues and has the desired effect.
"Afghanistan does need more help, both in terms of the amount of resources coming to it and ensuring that the financial resources are getting through to the places they're needed," said Edwards.
The situation has prompted NATO, the international military force now running peacekeeping operations, to seek an additional 1,500 soldiers for its Afghanistan mission. Canada's defense minister said Wednesday that he does not know who will supply them, but that the forces are needed immediately.
Despite the pledge from NATO to remain and ensure stability, Weinbaum said this week the departure of most American forces made many Afghans uneasy.
"Afghan people said, 'They are leaving. Everyone else will. We better cover our bases. If these people are going to leave, the Taliban will still be here,'" Weinbaum said. "The Taliban is saying, 'You can't rely on these people. They are promising you this, but they only take away -- your poppy crops, guns. For your own security, don't align yourselves with them.'"
-- By Stephanie Taylor, Online NewsHour
video & more articles
Drug Trade, Resurgent Taliban Fuel Intensified Attacks in Afghanistan
Funded largely by a flourishing drug trade, Taliban fighters have stepped up their attacks on Afghan and international forces, killing more than 300 people a month on average in Afghanistan.
The Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, a body of Afghan and international officials that monitors developments in the country, recently reported that a resurgent Taliban has launch on average more than 600 attacks a month, resulting in the deaths of some 3,700 people in 2006.
The board concluded that the drug trade has helped make the fighting and instability particularly intense in four volatile southern provinces.
"What happened basically is that over the last five years what had been, especially in the south, a population that had largely thrown its lot in with the international community and central government lost faith in those elements to deliver a post-Taliban peace," said Marvin Weinbaum, scholar-in-residence at the Middle East Institute.
U.N. spokesman Adrian Edwards described the report as "very credible" and "very realistic." Although the report seems bleak in its detailed account of increasing violence, Edwards says there does seem to be "progress" and "movement forward."
Edwards pointed to successful elections for president and parliament and infrastructure improvements such as new schools, wells and highways as evidence of progress in the restive nation.
The most recent report came as the U.N. Security Council dispatched its first envoy to the region in more than three years. Kenzo Oshima, Japan's ambassador to the United Nations, is to report back to the council about the state of Afghanistan.
Oshima admitted that the "resurgence of violence" was a serious concern that could threaten the "ongoing process of reconstruction and nation-building in Afghanistan," he told reporters Wednesday.
"Yet the mission believes the storm is being weathered," Oshima said.
Despite the optimism, a slew of international surveys continue to report on the increasingly dire situation.
In the Unites States, the Government Accountability Office released a report Wednesday saying that the deteriorating security situation threatens the success of U.S. attempts to curb the Afghanistan drug trade.
Earlier this month, the International Crisis Group released a report that warned security had deteriorated such that action was needed now, although the "country's democratic government is not immediately threatened."
"The desire for a quick, cheap war followed by a quick, cheap peace is what has brought Afghanistan to the present, increasingly dangerous situation," the report read.
Marvin Weinbaum echoed concerns that the continued inability for the central government to maintain peace could spell long-term trouble for its future. The lack of government control, the presence of widespread corruption and little economic development all could make Afghans more ambivalent toward where their loyalties lay, he said.
In some parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban have even taken steps to replace the Kabul government. In parts of Kandahar, according to Reuters, the Taliban are now running Islamic courts. The group is also paying its fighters more than $300 a month, compared with the $14 paid to policemen.
"Forget about sympathies and ideologies," Weinbaum said. "People in many areas are just responding to payment."
The United Nations echoed Weinbaum's concerns and said it is focused on ensuring aid cuts through the corruption and governmental issues and has the desired effect.
"Afghanistan does need more help, both in terms of the amount of resources coming to it and ensuring that the financial resources are getting through to the places they're needed," said Edwards.
The situation has prompted NATO, the international military force now running peacekeeping operations, to seek an additional 1,500 soldiers for its Afghanistan mission. Canada's defense minister said Wednesday that he does not know who will supply them, but that the forces are needed immediately.
Despite the pledge from NATO to remain and ensure stability, Weinbaum said this week the departure of most American forces made many Afghans uneasy.
"Afghan people said, 'They are leaving. Everyone else will. We better cover our bases. If these people are going to leave, the Taliban will still be here,'" Weinbaum said. "The Taliban is saying, 'You can't rely on these people. They are promising you this, but they only take away -- your poppy crops, guns. For your own security, don't align yourselves with them.'"
-- By Stephanie Taylor, Online NewsHour
video & more articles